Support for golf-course markers



Aug. 12

/, JJ E S R E K R m 2 NEB S9 wml O0.. RC2 BH2 .OW WGMv .Rd O JFM. ...l ...MF 4 O P. P U s Patented Aug, 12, 1924.

UNITED STATES THOMAS J. W. BROWN, OF `l/VifislllGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

`SUPPORT FOR GOLF-COURSE MARKERS.

Application filed May 22, 1,922.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. W. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,` residing at llVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supports for Golf-Course Markers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to games and game apparatus, but more especially to the game of golf, and to markers or supports for signal flags used in connection with this game. y

Originally the putting-green holes were mere depressions in the ground, later they were bored with great accuracy as to depth and other dimensions, and at the present time they are provided with rims or metallic linings, as a means of preventing the walls from breaking down, or becoming otherwise clogged and obstructed, such linings for eX- ample as set forth and described in Letters Patent of the United States numbered 1,194,814, issued to me under date of August 15, 1916. l

In the early days of this game it was also customary to indicate location of the various holes on a golf course by temporarily introducing into the next hole in turn a branch, twig or stick, tall enough to be observed from a distance. In the ordinary course of development this primitive form of marker gave way to flags and pennants mounted upon poles or staffs for like purpose, such as exemplified by U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,171,699 issued to me under date of February 15, 1916, and to such markers my present improvements particularly relate.

My invention therefore has for an objectv the production of a marker including a sectional standard or support, capable of performing its intended functions with great accuracy and precision, one which may be instantly introduced and removed from operative position within a hole lining, and one which in nowise obstructs entrance of a ball into the hole during an approach shot.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the present invention will be hereinafter particularly described, and then delined by the claims following.

Serial No. 562,887.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wheroon like numerals indicate corresponding parts in the several views: 'V

Figure 1 represents in perspective the lower end of a sectional marker standard made in accordance with the present invention, and occupying its operative position in a golf hole;

Figure 2 is also a perspective view, relatively enlarged, representing the lower end of a marker embodying the present improvements; and y n Figure `3 is a vertical central sectional view of parts shown lby Figure 1, including a modern golf hole lining, orV cup.

Referring particularly to the drawings forming part of this application, the numerical 1 indicates an ordinary bamboo pole or support for a flag or other `hole marker (not shown). This pole or standard 1 is provided at its lower end with a filler block 1, and is mounted snugly in a split sleeve or spring compression socket 2, preferably formed of a unitary metallic casting comprising two substantially semi-cylindrical sections, 3, 3, separated by a longitudinal central slot 4 extending from the upper edge of said sleeve or socket to a point adjacent the bottom thereof as clearly shown by Figures 1 and 2.

At a point intermediate the ends of slot 4, the said oppcsitely disposed sections 3, 3, of socket 2 are connected by a through bolt or binding screw 5 as best shown by Figurel 3, for the purpose of drawing these sections together, while depending from the said socket centrally is a steel pin 6 of reduced diameter provided with a rigid enlargement or collar 7, and having a blunt, rounded lower extremity 8, asbest shown by Figures 2 and 3.

In practice a suitable flag or marker-bearing pole or standard 1 is introduced into compression socket 2, and there firmly secured by action of screw 5 which serves to draw the two sections 3, 3 together, binding said standard between them as shown by Figure 1. This screw 5 in addition affords a convenient means of taking up or compensating for any slight loosening of the standard 1, resulting from possible shrinkage of the latter.

Markers constructed and assembled as aforesaid, may be planted in golf holes by any suitable means, but since these holes at the present time are almost universally guardedby linings,fsuch as indicated at 9, Figure 3, having aicentral drain aperture 10, my present invention contemplates the in'- troductionl of pin 6 through such central aperture into the earth below as shown, and when this has been accomplished, the collar or integral lug 7 of larger diameter than aperture 10, arrests the downward Vmovement of said 'pin 6, thereby positively holding the pole-supporting socket 2 high enough above theputting greenvto allow free access of golf` balls to the hole beneath during an approach shot. i Y

This beinga description of my present invention in its best form of construction now known to me, what I claim vand desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

l. A support for golf course markers comprising in combination a split sleeve, means orxbinding the sections of said sleeve uponthe lower end lof a marker standard, a depending pin, and a lug upon said pin arranged andY adapted ,to maintain said support at proper elevation.

` 2. Asupport for golf course markers comprising inv combination a split sleeve, a screw connecting the sections of said sleeve to bind them upon the lower end of a marker standyld andto limit .the height of said standard, a vdepending pin, and a lug upon said pin arranged and adapted to maintain said sup port at proper elevation.

3. A support for golf course markers comprising in combination a compression socket slotted longitudinally, a screw swiveled in one section of said socket and threaded intoA the other of said sections to bind them upon the lower portion of a marker standard, a pin depending from said socket, and a lug upon said pin arranged and adapted to maintain said support at a predetermined and proper elevation.

4f. A support 'for golf course markers comprising in combination a compression socket slotted longitudinally, a marker standard, means for binding the sections of said socket upon the lower portion of the marker standard, a liller block within the lower portion of said standard, a pin de pending from said socket, and a lug upon said pin arranged and adapted to maintain said support at a predetermined and proper elevation.

.In testimony whereof I aHix my signature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS J. W. BROWN. 

